Historical information

Dr Michele Matthews has been a local and social historian for nearly three decades since she first used correspondence held by the then Bendigo City Council for her Honours thesis. She is an ardent advocate for the use of local history records to tell Victorian and Australian history from a grassroots perspective. Michele’s MA thesis, ‘A forgotten “Father” of Federation: Sir John Quick 1852‑1911’ (2003), and her PhD thesis, ‘Survivors, schemes, Samaritans and shareholders: the impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925‑1935’ (2007), both drew heavily on Bendigo and district records.

Physical description

Michele Matthews Collection: PHD Research - Relief during the great depression

This item includes the following documents:

8672.64a The document is a circular dated 13 March 1934 from the Public Assistance Office, Melbourne, providing administrative instructions to Registrars and Secretaries of Public Assistance Committees on the management of sustenance recipients, financial procedures, and committee administration.

The first section explains arrangements for men employed on relief work during the Easter period. It confirms that the existing practice of allowing men working away from home to return to their families for Easter will continue. Eligible workers who were already receiving sustenance before being assigned to relief work may receive sustenance payments for themselves and their families during the holiday. However, these payments are intended only for those who had previously qualified for assistance, must not duplicate payments already made, and should not result in additional entitlements after they return to work.

The circular then emphasises the importance of close cooperation with local police departments. Registrars and Public Assistance Committees are encouraged to exchange information regularly with police officers so that authorities have the most accurate and up-to-date details regarding people receiving public assistance. This cooperation is intended to improve oversight of sustenance recipients.

A substantial section addresses goods supplied under sustenance orders. It notes that some shopkeepers have been providing items not permitted under the regulations, particularly tobacco. The circular reminds committees that retailers must not provide cash instead of goods, supply goods before receiving an authorised sustenance order, exceed the authorised value of an order, substitute unauthorised goods, charge prices above approved rates, or require recipients to sign blank or incomplete receipts. Any trader breaching these rules risks losing the right to accept future sustenance orders.

The document also clarifies the certification of accounts submitted to the Treasury. It states that claims for goods supplied under sustenance orders must be certified only by the authorised officials. Accounts certified by sub-committees, committee members, or police officers are contrary to the regulations and will not be paid. Where no Registrar has been appointed, only the official secretary of the Public Assistance Committee is authorised to certify these accounts.

Another section concerns postage and administrative expenses. Secretaries, particularly in country districts, are instructed to ensure that all correspondence is correctly stamped before posting. The circular also notes complaints about letters being insufficiently prepaid, resulting in unnecessary additional postage charges. It reminds committees that the relevant local authority is responsible for meeting these administrative expenses under the applicable legislation.

Finally, the circular provides guidance on the transfer of recipients between districts. When a person receiving sustenance moves to another district, their complete records should accompany the transfer. Committees are reminded that these records belong to the Public Assistance Committee rather than to individual offices, ensuring continuity of administration and preventing delays in assessing ongoing eligibility for assistance. The document concludes with a signed acknowledgement section confirming receipt of the circular by the relevant Public Assistance Office.